|
|
Sea World
Author: Anthony Beck
Date: 07-01-07 10:57
Anthony put his arm around Plum, who ducked her head into his shoulder as water sprayed into their faces from the killer whale swimming in the pool in front of them. They, along with Alanna, Toby, Bronwyn and the others who'd come on the trip to Australia, were at Sea World in Brisbane watching an animal show.
They'd been in Australia for a week already and were due to stay for at least one more, if not two. They'd already done a lot of touristy things like visit other Muggle attractions like the zoo and the Warner Bros. Movie World theme park. They'd gone out to Muggle and wizarding night clubs and even done wizarding things like watch the Brisbane Bandicoots practice and even get in a little one on one flying with the professionals too.
Anthony only ever realized how much he missed playing Quidditch when he flew on a broomstick. Sometimes he thought he should have never quit playing and that he should have tried out for the teams at St. Emrys. He'd played in several scrimmage matches since coming to Brisbane and had found that while he'd gotten out of practice a little bit, he was still pretty good at playing the sport.
The orca show ended and everyone rose from the bleachers to see a different attraction at Sea World. They decided to get in line for the Corkscrew Rollercoaster, Australia's first triple-loop rollercoaster. The line was long and while it was wintertime in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun was very warm. If Anthony hadn't put a sunscreen charm on his face, he would have probably gotten a burn across his cheeks and nose.
Half an hour after entering the line, the group finally boarded the rollercoaster. Anthony and Plum sat in the middle of the train. They were secured in their seat and then waited for the ride to begin. The train moved slowly at first, ascending loudly up a ramp. Then it suddenly went down and up and looped once, twice, three times before jerking left and right and up and down again. Anthony, who'd had little experience in riding rollercoasters in his lifetime, but who'd ridden several since coming to Brisbane this summer, put his arms in the air and yelled his head off.
He whooped when the train pulled back to the platform and climbed out, offering Plum a helping hand. He was ready for another ride!
A Start
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 07-01-07 11:57
Lysander took the information Hermione Granger had given him and went to some of his usual contacts to see what they knew or could find out about any other copies of the Book of Kem Heka. The last assignment Lysander had had like this was when he and Drucilla Eternal-Black had traveled to Washington, D.C. Lysander's main contact then had been Augustine Ravenscroft who would have likely been very valuable in his current work. Oh well. Lysander would have to make due with other sources this time.
In conducting his research and reviewing the notes he'd taken while interviewing Hermione Granger, Lysander had come to learn that all four owners of the copies known to exist had recently been murdered. He wondered first whether Hermione Granger had a death wish and second just how valuable the Book of Kem Heka must be to warrant such desperate measures like theft and murder.
He certainly didn't want to put himself in danger by obtaining another copy, if one even existed, and he especially didn't want to endanger the lives of those close to him, like his daughter Charlotte. At just over a year and a half in age, Charlotte was a walking and talking machine. Most of the time she babbled incoherently, though she seemed to understand herself just perfectly, as did Dexter the cat. She knew some real words, however, like daddy, milk and kitty.
As she grew older, she looked more and more like her father and less and less like the mother who bore her and abandoned her on Lysander's doorstep. Charlotte's hair was dark and curly and she had brown eyes. Her skin was an olive color, as if she had perpetual tan that would make her future teenage and adult girlfriends jealous.
Lysander played with building blocks with Charlotte on the floor while waiting for owls to arrive bearing news from the rare book handlers he'd contacted. One arrived quite promptly from Bernold Watts, a dark arts book dealer Lysander had worked with a few times in the past. His note was brief but stated that he knew of someone in Burma who was known for collecting incomplete works. If another copy of the Book of Kem Heka in partial form were to exist, this wizard would likely have it. He would probably not be willing to sell it, however. Bernold had already sent off an owl to his friend in Burma and would forward whatever reply he received to Lysander.
"Well, that's a start," Lysander said, putting the note aside and feeding the owl who delievered it some of Charlotte's crackers.
"Dat's a start!" Charlotte echoed, knocking over her building blocks.
Reply
Author: Jet
Date: 07-01-07 16:20
When an owl arrived with a letter from Skyler, the girl in a different year and house at Hogwarts whom he'd run into a few times towards the end of term, Jet had been on a camping trip with his parents. They are who introduced Jet to climbing and every year they had done some sort of camping trip together, even if only for a weekend. Because he didn't have stationary, quill, and ink as part of his camping supplies, Jet waited a few days until they were back home before writing a reply to Skyler.
Beast, his miniscule owl, on his shoulder, pressed against his neck, Jet reads back over Sklyer's letter. Getting out a piece of cream colored parchment, Jet begins writing an answer to Skyler's letter.
Hi Skyler,
My summer's going well. My parents and I just got back from a long camping and mountain climbing trip. How's your summer going so far? Gone anywhere for holiday yet or have any plans to go somewhere?
Let's see, if I have to pick one color as favorite, I'd say purple. I don't really have a favorite band though each time I've heard Dragon and Dynamic Duo I've really liked them. Hex and Suzie the Beansidhe are great too. Favorite food? Typical British food like bangers and mash. Thai and Chinese. Prime rib. I also have a weakness for chocolate frogs.
Enjoy the rest of your summer,
Jet
Jet seals the parchment in an envelope, addresses it, and sends it off with the family owl Ruffles. Beast hoots in Jet's ear, sounding slightly miffed that Jet used Ruffles instead. Stroking the small owl's head, Jet says, "If you went instead of Ruffles, who'd share this piece of beef jerky with me?"
Beast makes another noise, sounding mollified, then accepts a piece of the beef jerky from Jet.
Blurry
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 07-01-07 17:02
"I can do that if you need."
Julian scrunches his eyes at the blurry form of Edgar. "I've got it thanks."
Putting on the wire framed glasses he was fitted with once some of his vision had returned, Julian still ends up holding each book so close to his face each nearly touches his nose. Nonetheless he's able to make out the price of each and ring up the patient customer. He puts the four books in a shopping back with handles and hands over the change he's had to peer as closely at as he had the books.
It's frustrating but Julian's glad he's got enough vision now to function somewhat. Much better than those days of sitting in dark, listening to Mum ramble on and on about the private nurses she wanted on around the clock duty to make sure Julian was properly seen to during his recovery. Having some help wouldn't be so bad he supposes. Around the clock care by people hired by Lisette Valentine is another matter altogether.
Julian shudders at the thought.
His thoughts are interrupted by Edgar. "I'm going to the post office to owl off some of the orders we've had."
"As long as you're out, go on and take your break if you'd like."
The bell over the door jingles as Edgar goes out, leaving Julian alone temporarily. Lysander's playing with Charlotte and there aren't any customers in the store. As if to remind Julian that he isn't alone afterall, Dexter lands with a thump in front of him. Julian scrunches his eyes again even though he knows that doesn't help bring the shapes into focus any better.
Julian scratches Dexter along the cat's spine. Dexter begins purring loudly then changes to an insistently meowing when Julian stops to flex his fingers. The burns still are only partially healed. At times Julian's hands, particularly his fingers are stiff and there is a dull ache pretty much all of the time. The books gone though. All anyone found was a pile of ash.
Resuming scratching Dexter's back, Julian keeps telling himself his injuries were worth it. The book won't be able to control him like it seemed to want to do. Julian doesn't need to worry about what might happen to Grace or Charlotte if things with the book had gotten out of hand. His eyes are getting better each day, even if each day's improvement is only minute. His hands may hurt a long time and the burns may never heal completly. But it was worth it. Julian will keep telling himself that as many times a day as it takes for him to firmly believe it.
The bell over the door jangles again. Eyes narrowed to slits, Julian looks at the blurred figure there. "Hello, let me know if you need any help finding something."
The woman, already moving down one of the aisles, pleasantly says, "I'm just looking, but thank you."
Dexter head butts Julian's hand, reminding Julian again where his priorities should be. Settling onto a stool, Julian scratches Dexter under the chin and tries to make out which section the customer has walked to.
It Is Not Funny
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 07-01-07 20:22
Locked in his study, away from that clinging, irritating chit, Lucius drinks an excellent brandy. When she knocks for the sixth time in an hour, calling out, "Lucius, dearest, please talk to me," Lucius puts a silencing charm on the door.
Draco's head appears in the fire Lucius had started on this warm, summer day just for that purpose. He leans forward in his chair as Draco says, "The owl arrived. You didn't have to do it, you know."
"Oh, but I did. There's no telling how long it will take me to get a divorce. I wanted an annulment but that idiot just had to share with anyone who'd listen that an annulment cannot be validly applied to her marriage."
Lucius leans further forward. "It's not funny. Stop sniggering."
Draco attempts to hide his amusement but fails. "I'm sorry, but it is too funny. I had hoped you'd one day move on from Mother though Cecily isn't exactly what I pictured." Draco tries again not to laugh then does, adding, "Definately did not imagine you getting so drunk you would elope with someone like her."
Lucius snorts, reaching for his brandy snifter, then after a fortifying drink tells Draco, "Regarding the papers I sent, yes, I feel that is an absolutely necessary step. If for some reason my will is changed, leaving a great deal to Cecily, or worse, everything, you have the papers I sent."
The papers are ones Lucius, infuriated that he's still shackled to Cecily, had drawn up that very morning. They papers make it clear that if Lucius's will is drastically changed any time after today's date, leaving Cecily above a certain amount, he was not acting on his own volition.
Draco asks, "I know you are trying to protect the family interests but do you really think Cecily is the sort who would stoop to using an Imperius?"
"No, but there's always a chance Cecily is more than she appears. Or that some relative might get all starry eyed at the thought of our money gained through Cecily. Griselda is the one who warned me about some of their relatives."
Draco sighs, all traces of amusement gone now. "I'll put the papers in my Gringott's vault here. They'll be safe."
Draco makes his goodbyes and his head vanishes from the fireplace. Lucius extinguishes the fire with a flick of his wand. Rising he lifts the silencing charm on the door and walks out into the hall, startling Cecily.
"Lucius! Darling! I have a lovely lunch spread all done up. We can talk and enjoy the excellent food. I'm sure you'll see our marriage isn't a mistake."
Lucius stops and looks down at Cecily standing there all hopeful. He wonders what she would say if he were to inform her he was inviting his in-laws to partake luncheon with them. Bellatrix thinks it's fecking hilarious that Lucius drunkenly eloped with someone younger than Draco. All this is so entertaining to her that she said it makes up for Lucius remarrying for a trophy wife. Rudolphus hasn't been able to stop laughing long enough to comment anything on his own.
Lucius starts to tell Cecily to expect lunch guests then thinks better of it. First of all, he is in no mood to put up with Rodolphus and Bellatrix having a hard time keeping straight faces if they came for lunch. Second of all, having them over would mean revealing to Cecily that he knows the location of two wanted criminals and has not turned them in like the good high up Ministry official he's supposed to be.
Lucius instead informs Cecily, "I'm off to see my solicitor."
Cecily pouts and starts protesting but Lucius ignores her, disapparating on the spot.
Getting In Touch With The Living And The Dead: Part 1
Author: Synn Gardenn
Date: 07-01-07 23:28
After Synn left Mr. Lowtree's office she apperated to her home. It was in a nondescript building in a part of town that she preferred keeping secret, from the outside no one would know that the inside looked like a combination of Indian/Moroccan palace, with Gothic touches here and there. There was no cause to bring attention to herself, just as she'd managed to keep a low-profile in Azkaban she intended to do so on the outside. She had decided to take a page from Severus Snapes book - lay low and stay out of trouble until it suited her to cause some trouble. She'd arrived home an hour later, got settled and was now in the office of her new home. She watched as words appeared on parchment. They were rimmed in gold and faded to black as the words announced her arrival to the other shop owners of Diagon Alley. She was a woman of action and making her presence known to the others would ultimately trickle down to the Ministry. They were sure to be keeping an eye on her. She was want to give them any reason for alarm. When the last was done,safely sealed with wax and stamped she set them aside to be sent off with a messenger later. A soft mew behind her then a steady purr announced the arrival of Scarlet, her partner in crime, on four legs! The cat was a study in black, from the tip of her slim tail to the purple of her pert little nose. She padded along the desktop until she sat right on the parchment paper and right in Synn's face.
"Excuse me? I'm writing here," She said being sucked into the purr that rumbled through Scarlet's body. She had begun a letter to Bellatrix Lestrange, her best friend. Her heart ached at the thought of another, but pushed that person from her mind, for now.
" Let me finish this letter to Bellatrix!" She said putting quill to parchment and handwriting the letter herself:
Dear Bellatrix,
I'm home. I can scarcely believe she's gone. It has been so long since we've seen each other. Send for me and I shall be there. Please give Scarlet some cream and a bowl of tuna. Synn
She sealed up the letter, added her seal with wax. She looked to Scarlet and knew she didn't need to ask anything. The cat would know to deliver this special message herself using her stealthy cat ways.
"Purrrrrrrr," Scarlet blinked her eyes and Synn did the same. This interchange a ritual with the two.
"Here," She said as she waved her wand and a fine spray of silver dust twinkled down upon her beloved cat. It would aid Scarlet's natural skills in finding the whereabouts of one nefarious best friend.
Synn rose from her chair, gathered the pleased-with-herself-feline and walked from the office window. Scarlett leapt from her arms and traversed the roof, and was gone from Synn's sight. Synn changed into comfortable but fashionable clothes, grabbed her wand and apparated to The Fire Berry.
Synn knew she had her work cut out for her the minute she arrived at The Fire Berry. The assistant hired by Mr. Lowtree screamed at the top of her lungs as Synn appeared behind her causing the women to begin to hyperventilate. Soon, though she composed herself enough to make an introduction.
"I..I'm Irma, Irma Grummel. I'm the assistant the..the law firm hired," She frowned as she looked at the clipboard she held in her hand.
"You're very late. They said you'd be here three weeks ago!" She said looking at Synn reproachfully.
"I arrived when I was damn well good and ready, Miss Grummel. I do own this shop, not anyone else. You will do well to remember that," Synn said her voice getting dangerously low. Synn felt her cheeks flush as she began to get angry. Didn't this little twit know who she was? No bother, she'd soon find out. Irma, sensing the shift in the air, backed away slowly and turned to continue her work. Synn knew in that instant this young girl wasn't going to last.
After four hours of cataloging the contents of the store, Synn sighed heavily. There was one more thing she needed to do before she headed home for the night. She left the store without a word to Irma and walked down Diagon Alley. Then she closed her eyes, thought of Narcissa and when she opened them found herself on the grounds of Malfoy Manor. She had to visit a dearly departed friend.
Weston and Constantius
Author: Marzipan
Date: 07-02-07 09:19
Marzi strolled through Hogsmeade, basking in the sunshine and fresh air. She'd been holed up in the castle for much of the day, reviewing her lesson plans for the new school year and make sure she had all the supplies she needed for the forthcoming year. Preparing for a new term was always hard work, but it was certainly easier now that she had two years of teaching at Hogwarts behind her.
She was glad to have met the new History of Magic professor, Ivy Whitmen. Ivy would have a very busy next month making her own plans for the new Hogwarts term.
Marzi walked without really knowing where she was going. Her feet moved as if they had minds of their own, and she allowed them to carry her wherever they felt like going.
She'd just past by the Owl Post Office and was moving past the alley that led to the Hog's Head Pub and Brewery when she spotted a familiar figure standing outside the door of the pub smoking a cigarette. Facing in her direction already, he recognized her instantly.
Marzi turned into the alley and walked up to him. "You've taken up smoking."
Weston shrugged and dropped the partially smoked cigarette to the cobblestones. He stepped on it. "I've been under a lot of stress lately."
"Work?"
"Work, yes, and..." He hesitated.
"Yes?" Marzi encouraged.
Weston shook his head and asked, "And you? How is everything?"
"Everything is going well, I suppose. The usual."
Weston nodded, as if understanding her somewhat vague answer and then jerked his head to the building at his right. "I'm due inside. See you around, Marzipan."
He turned and went inside, leaving Marzi alone in the alley. She sighed, looking down at the snubbed out cigarette, which still smoldered a little bit and smelled just awful. She'd just reached for her wand to banish the cigarette butt when a voice cut through the air.
"The Hog's Head doesn't seem like your type of place, Marzipan."
Marzi's hand closed on her wand but she didn't move her arm. "Hello, Constantius. Conduct any ritual sacrifices lately?" She said it loud enough that any passing person could overhear.
His eyes narrowed. "Shut up, you little bitch. We're in a public place."
"So?" Marzi challenged. "I'll shout it to the world. You're a––"
But before she could get any farther, Constantius lunged at her and pushed her hard against the wall of the post office, clamping a hand on her mouth. In the unexpectedness of it all, Marzi lost her grip on her wand and it clattered to the ground. His other hand gripped both of her wrists together tightly.
"I ought to wring your neck and send you back to Australia for your father to mourn. No one would mourn you here. Not your mother. Not Weston."
"That's where you're wrong," came another voice from behind them both.
Constantius turned abruptly and found Weston standing behind him with his wand at the ready. "Let her go," Weston commanded.
Constantius saw red. "You would dare point your wand at me?"
"Let. Her. Go."
Constantius' eyes narrowed. He let Marzi go and she slid against the wall to move away from him entirely.
Constantius glared at his son and then at his wife's daughter before disapparating suddenly and without another word.
Weston stowed his wand and picked up Marzi's from the ground. He handed it to her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you."
Weston put an arm around her shoulders. "Come on. Let's get some tea." He steered her out of the alley and in the direction of Madam Puddifoot's.
Plans
Author: Ivy Whitmen
Date: 07-02-07 19:16
Ivy returned home after the tour and signing some papers. She was excited and couldn't wait for the term to begin. She walked the front door and was soon greeted by her son.
"Hey, so how did it go?" he asked. She smiled and nodded.
"I got the job!" she said. He hugged his mother and told her congrats.
"Now what?" he asked once they had calmed a bit.
"Well tonight we can go out to dinner, and I have a lot of planning to do for classes so I'll be pretty busy doing that," she told him. He nodded and knew he would need to find something to do.
"Let me go change," she said and went upstairs to her bedroom. She thought about all the things she wanted to do with her classes. She figured there would be a lot of group work. Project ideas swarmed her head. She just couldn't seem to contain her excitement. Everyone seemed nice and she looked forward to working with them. Finally she walked back down stairs in a pair of jeans and a tank top.
"Took you long enough," Alex quipped. She rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse.
"Let's just take a walk see what we see," Ivy said, grabbing Alex's arm and pulling him out the door.
Ze Jeeg Eez Up
Author: Gabrielle Delacour
Date: 07-02-07 22:01
Gabby sits slumped in a chair at her parents' dining table, chin cupped in one hand. Her father sits across from her, looking only slightly less angry than her mother who is too agitated to sit down. Gabby imagines the scenes at Estella's and at Rosalinda's are similar.
The girls had been caught earlier in the day. Gabby had been rotating from house to house as relatives and friends of both Rosalinda and Estella had been gone on summer trips. Most recently she'd been at one of Estella's cousins. Gabby was to have stayed for three more days but the cousin got sick on her trip and returned home early. Gabby's not sure who was more shocked. The cousin at seeing a stranger in her home or Gabby at having thought she was free and clear for at least three more days.
The cousin had been going to call law enforcement when Gabby hastened to explain. Gabby's father Floo'd from France then took Gabby by through the Floo'd with him as if she were a small child. He could have at least let her go on her own ahead of him instead of together with her upper arm gripped tightly by his hand.
Gabby opens her mouth to say something but Maman stops her pacing long enough to hold up a hand. "Do not say a word. In fact, go to your room. Do not come out unless Papa or I call you."
Gabby glares at her mother. "But, Maman, let me explain."
Gabby's father says in a deadly calm voice, "You heard your mother. Go. We will let you know when we are ready to hear your explanation."
Gabby huffs in frustration, shoves her chair back, stomping to her room.